Extensible tree-prop



(No Model.)

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G. F. ANDREWS.

- EXTE'NSIBLE TREE PROP.

Patented Jan. 27, 1891.

T v a 6- i J m 193G955 Gear e FA]: dram l STA'IES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. ANDRElVS, OF RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

EXTENSIBLE TREE-PROP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 445,151, dated January 27, 1891.

Application filed June 21, 1890- Serial No. 356,289! (No model.)

To coll who/21, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. ANDREWS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Riverside, in the county of San Bernardino and State of California, have invented a new and 1 the following manner: On the rear side of useful Extensible Tree-Prop, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in the construction of tree-props such as are made in sections, one section sliding by the other and adj ust-able at any desired length.

IIeretofore in devices of this character the locking-bail whereby the two sections were locked in an adjusted position was so constructed as to spread or separate the sections so that they were disposed ata greater or less angle to each other. Such was disadvantageous, in that the strain or weight not being directly longitudinal, the two sections of the tendency was to snap or break the lower section near the point where the upper section was connected thereto. A further disadvantage resided in the fact that the saidlockingbail as heretofore constructed did not perform its functions as positively as was desired, in that it only formed a bite at the front edge of the upper section.

My invention therefore has for its object to avoid the above disadvantages, so arranging the parts as to dispose the strain directly longitudinal with the two sections and lock the same more securely together against any possible accidental slipping.

With the above objects in View the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, in which I have illustrated my invention, Figure 1 is a side view of my tree-prop with the upper section elevated slightly above the middle of the lower section. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the clamp. Fig. 4 is a perspeciive view showing the upper section lowered and showing the clamp clamping said upper section.

In the drawings, A designates the lower section of the tree-prop, andB the upper section. The upper section has upon its upper end side prongs b, which project beyond said end, thus forming a crotch or fork wherein the limb of a tree may rest. Upon the lower end of the upper section B is fastened a metal guide-strap b, which embraces the lower sec tion A, sliding thereon.

Upon the upper endof the lower section A is pivoted the rectangular clamping-bail C in said upper section a recess is provided, and the end bar 0 of said clamp C having been placed within this recess it is retained therein by means of the plate a. Stops or lugs a on either side of the lower section A limit the upward movement of the clamp C. Clamp C has its side bars 0' extending from the shaft 0 in a direction parallel to each other; but about their middles the said sides begin to converge until the distance between their ends is less than the width of the upper section B. To prevent the spreading of the said sides, they are generally cast with a transverse connecting-piece c integral with them.

It will be understood that when my improved tree-prop is in operative position the metal guide I) embraces the lower section A and is fastened to the upper section B, while the clamp C is pivotally connected to the upper part of the lower section and surrounds the upper section \Vhen it is desired to elevate the upper section B to the height of the combined lengths of the two sections or to any less height, the clamp C is raised from the position it occupies by gravity until the upper section B is released from the narrowed part of the side bars a and can slide between the broader parallel portions of its said side bars. Vhen the desired height has been obtained, the end of the clamp is allowed to drop by gravity and the upper section slightly pressed downward, so that the narrowed side of the clamp will biteinto the sides of the upper section and hold it firmly. It will be seen that within the limit of the strength of the parts the greater the weight applied to the upper section the firmer the clamp will hold it elevated and that in order to release the upper section the same must be slightly elevated to start the clamp and ease the sides.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is-

In a tree-prop, the combination, with the two sliding sections A and B, having contact IOO throughout their opposite faces, the lower section' being provided upon its outer upper end with a transverse bearing groove or recess, and a stop-pin projecting from one side of the section above the groove, and the upper opposite section terminating in a crotch or fork, of the metal strap secured to the upper section and loosely embracing the opposite section, the rectangular bail, the rear end bar of which is cylindrical and seated in the transverse recess and the opposite side bars of which are converged toward their front ends and adapted to bind upon the front corners of the upper section, and the plate covering said groove, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE F. ANDREWS.

Witnesses:

THos. D. NICHOLS, HARVEY POTTER. 

